ROZAEG
ния 24318
CONFIDENTIAL
195
Mr Myan
You will have seen from the
Washugsa
Mar I did dementiai
telegram the State Dept.
this wirject to the Słake Dept.
May
touching very lightly
krooning away
meli; extamily
the options.
M
26
FROM : CO Hum
Hong Kong Department
DATE :
20 May 1988
CC
on the possibility of They took this wording
PS/Lord Glenarthur
PS/Mr Eggar
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
to guar ringing of alarm bells.
11..
✓
Mr Thomas, SEAD
Mr Williams, UND
Private Secretary
N1115
Mr. Footmen
boew
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
W3/5
Problem
1. Should we initiate informal exchanges with UNHCR on the concept
of screening boat people on arrival in Hong Kong?
Recommendation
2. I recommend that UKMIS Geneva be authorised to approach UNHCR informally and without commitment in the course of next week. A draft telegram of instructions is attached. We have consulted Hong Kong and UKMIS Geneva on the idea of an informal approach, and on
the line to take. SEAD and UND concur.
A
B
Background
3. The Secretary of State has minuted colleagues to warn them of the likelihood that urgent consultations about a possible change of policy will be needed on his return from Hong Kong. The Prime Minister agrees that it is hard not to sympathise with the Hong Kong Government's view, and is in principle disposed to agree that they
should change their position as proposed.
4.
We believe that UNHCR's understanding and co-operation are essential to securing international acceptance of the new policy proposed by the Hong Kong Government. UNHCR's attitude towards
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